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Motorcycle accidents: Hazards to watch out for on the road

Avid bikers may tell you that there is something very special about being on the road on a motorcycle -- a feeling of freedom. While motorcycles are fun to ride, it requires a certain degree of awareness of your surroundings to stay safe. There are a number of hazards on roads across California that may cause bikers serious injuries if these go unnoticed.

Something as common as loose gravel on roads can lead to a motorcyclist losing control of his or her bike. Loose dirt and rocks require extra vigilance and are often found at intersections, near construction sites and turns. Rubbish lying on the roadway creates the same kind of danger. Oil or other fluids are often spilled on roads. These spills are also dangerous, as they may result in a loss of traction, which may result in a nasty fall.

Potholes and large fissures in a road are very dangerous for bikers. When a biker hits a large crack in a road, it can lead to a loss of control of the bike. Potholes may even lead to a broken wheel resulting in a serious accident. Cracks in a road are often fixed with patches of tar. Even these patches pose a danger as they become slippery in warm conditions.

Many of the hazards bikers need to watch out for relate to big trucks and especially truck stops. Spills, littering, uneven roads and loose gravel are often found near truck stops. Another hazard for bikers posed by trucks is the debris left spread over roads when a tire bursts. An even greater danger is created when a biker is next to a truck when a tire blows -- it can kill.

California civil law allows a biker seriously injured in an accident, due to the recklessness or negligence of another party, the opportunity to file a personal injury claim in civil court, while the legal estate of a deceased victim may file a wrongful death claim. While such claims may originate from accidents due to negligent or reckless driving, they may also be the result of road agencies not maintaining roads, thus creating unsafe conditions. A victim of an accident, or the surviving family of a deceased victim, may benefit from a consultation with a personal injury lawyer for a complete case evaluation.